Thursday Next is a detective with the LiteraTec, or SO-27. Thursday investigates crimes dealing with literature and helps design security for precious literary artifacts, such as original manuscripts. Before this, Thursday served time in the Army, including a tour in Crimea, and was a police officer with the Swindon Police Department.

In chapter one, Thursday Next is having a meal in a local diner when her father suddenly appears. Thursday's father worked with the ChronoGuard and has learned how to slow time to a trickle. When he appears to her and her family, time stops for everyone but them. Thursday's father greets her and asks her a few questions before begging her to discourage her...